Trusting God’s Guidance
Written By Eric Andrews
I’d like to start today’s reading a little differently. Stop what you are doing. Close your eyes and focus. Think about the last time God truly let you down or dropped the ball. Seriously. Stop, close your eyes, and take a minute or two to think about it.
While we may have some instances we feel fall into that category, the truth is, nothing can possibly fall into that category. When considering this question, it is important to remember God’s answer is not always our desire.
Countless times throughout Scripture, we are reminded of God’s perfect provision. Again, this does not mean God always provides how we would do it if we were in charge. But, He does provide for us—the masterpiece of His creation—according to His perfect plan.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
– Matthew 6:25–34 (ESV)
You might be wondering why I am talking about God’s provision when today’s topic is guidance.
It’s simple. If we believe God will provide for us as He says He will, we have no reason to do anything other than trust Him and follow where He guides us. I’ll say it again: If we believe God will provide for us as He says He will, we have no reason to do anything other than trust Him and follow where He guides us.
If we truly and deeply believe God has our back and has our best interest in His plan for us, that changes EVERYTHING. With this trust, we are freed up to simply live the life God has called us to, whether that be as a stay-at-home mother, a teacher, a pastor, a student, a counselor, an accountant, a sports editor, or anything else you could fill in the blank with. God does not want us to be those around us. He wants us to be who He created us to be.
11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
– Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
Now, you might be wondering how all of these thoughts can be applied to your life. In my opinion, the best place to start would be prayer. Pray for unwavering faith to trust in whatever God’s plan is for you. Pray for a passionate longing to follow God’s plan for you. Pray for understanding that God’s answer is not always our desire, and that there is nothing wrong with that. Pray for comfort and peace in knowing God has your back.
In my experience, trusting in and relying on God’s guidance gives an otherworldly sense of comfort, peace, and security. It is my prayer that each of you may also experience this great—and life-changing—gift.
Write This Way: Find one thing in your life today you have struggled giving to God. It can be big or small. Say a prayer asking for His guidance in what you are giving Him and that He would give you steadfast trust in Him to take care of what you are giving Him. Understand that what you are giving Him is out of your hands and you will need to fully trust God’s word that He will take care of you like the good and loving Father He is. Though it may or may not take time to see a result, you might be surprised at how big of an impact fully trusting God can have on your life.
About the Author
Eric Andrews is the Sports Editor of The Herald-Press in Huntington, Indiana, where he has lived since late August. He graduated from Taylor University in 2018 with a degree in Sport Management and a minor in Public Relations. Eric has attended Commonway since June of 2017 alongside his fiancée, Becca, who is currently a senior at Taylor studying Public Relations. In his free time, Eric enjoys watching sports, particularly hockey and lacrosse, collecting hockey cards and memorabilia, and trying new restaurants with Becca.
